Multiple point connector for braces



Nov. 17, 1953 E. B. CAPRA MULTIPLE POINT CONNECTOR FOR BRACES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1949 INVENTOR.

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MULTIPLE POINT CONNECTOR FOR BRACES Filed Aug. 6, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EZZO Bel/NO C'4P/Q4 a bmou Patented Nov. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MULTIPLE POINT- CONNECTOR FOR BRACES Elzo Bruno Capra, Mantova, Italy Application August -6, 1949, Serial No. 108;871

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to multiple point connectors for the braces of scaffolds and other-temporary structures of a similar nature.

In copending application Serial No. 108,872, filed August 6, 1949, entitled Braces for Scaffolds, adjustable and fixed braces between various points in the scaiiold were described together with especially designed couplings forholding the braces together. In any structure, occasions arise where it may be desirable to connect the converging ends of several braces at a given point or to pass one brace through another.

It is an object of the instant invention to provide connectors for the converging ends of braces which are quickly attached.

A further object is to provide connectors of the type described which-have aw'iderange of adaptability.

Still another object is the provision of connectors just as rugged as the attached braces.

Other objects of the instant invention will become apparent in the course of the following specification.

In the accomplishment of these objectives,one form of the connector, "designated the multiple point connector, is constituted of a tubular member with a collar having spaced parallel sides disposed therearound; Between. the sides of the collar are a plurality of pivotally mounted. anchors while on either side of the collar are similar pivotally mounted anchors. Provision is made on the ends of the tubular member and the anchors for the releasable attachment of one end of a brace which converge on one point from many directions. The second form of connector or through connector is utilized when all the braces are in the same plane, the through connector being formed of two pivotally connected attaching devices capable of wide adaptability but always in the plane of the crossed members.

The invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings showing by way of example a preferred embodiment of the inventive idea.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the braces of a structure attached by the connectors constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the first form or multiple point connector.

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a second form or through connector.

Referring now in greater detail to the structure of braces shown in Figure 1: A6, A4 and A4"; A5, A1 and A1, AI and AI A2 and All], andA8 =and A9 as well as corresponding braces not designated constitute the individual links in the-structure. The adjustable brace A1 and fixed brace A7 are attached together by the coupling B while the two fixed braces A4 and A i are connected by the coupling B all of which members are fully described in co-pending application Serial No. 108,872, filed August 6, '1949'and entitled Braces for scaffolds.

In the structure of Figure 1, the braces A6, A4; A5, A3, A2, and AI converge on the point C, and, of course, there are similar points in the Figure 1 structure which will stand alone and support any reasonable load when properly designed and assembled.

For such points C where a plurality of braces converge, the multipleconnector shown in Figure 2 has been created. 'Saidconnectoris constituted of a tubular member I0 at the extremities of which are the spaced ridges '22. Around the tubular member I0 is a collar having the spaced side members II which are attached in any known manner to the tubular member III and separated by a brace I2 if desired. Around the periphery of the side members II are the spaced aligned openings I 3 while on the outer surface of the side members II and the tubular member'III are .aseries of'angular brackets I4 formed with the aligned openings I5. Between the spaced members I I is pivotally mounted by the member I6 an anchor 20 which at the free end is provided also with the spaced ridges 22 for the releasable attachment of one end of a brace which has been fully described in copending application, Serial No. 108,872, filed August 6, 1949 and entitled Braces for Scafiolds. Of course, more than one anchor may be pivotally attached between the side members I I. A similar anchor 2| is pivotally mounted between the angular brackets I4 by the member I5 and by virtue of the construction more than one anchor may be used.

Each of the braces shown in Fig. 2 includes a tubular member 2. An outer sleeve 5 has inner screw threads meshing with the outer screw threads of an intermediate sleeve 4. The sleeve 4 has inner grooves adapted to receive the ridges 22.

The second form of connector or through connector E (Fig. 3) for the braces A2 and All], and A8 and A9 of Figure 1 is made with a structural member 38 terminating in cylindrical ends which are provided with the spaced ridges 22 for the releasable attachment of the end of a brace.

-. The through connector E is further formed with a second structural member 32 pivotally connected through the first by any suitable pivot 35 provided with a flange 34. The second member 32 has open ends in which an anchor 2| is releasably held by the member I6, the recesses coacting with the form of the inserted ends of the anchors 21. The member 16 may be inserted through openings 3| provided in the member 32. As in the case of the member 30, the free ends of the anchors 2| have spaced ridges 22 which are designed for the releasable attachment of a brace.

The operation with the multiple point connector is as follows:

Referring to the structure of Figure 1, an anchor 2| (Fig. 2) is inserted between the spaced members I l of the multiple point connector C and directed downwardly as shown. A brace A3 is attached to the free end of the anchor 2| and the opposite end secured in a similar manner to the bottom brace. So attached, the connector C will remain upright and the braces Al, A2, A3, A5, and A6 are attached in the same manner with the bases of the corresponding anchors 2i pivotally connected between the spaced members I I in aligned openings by the members I6. The brace A4 is releasably attached to the end of the tubular member ID and the brace A1 to the end of an anchor pivotally disposed between two consecutive angular brackets 14.

It will be noted in Figure 1 that the braces formed with the segments A2 and Alt! in one direction and A8 and A9 in another direction pass through each other. In this case, the bottom of the brace A2 may be attached to one end of the second structural member 32 (Fig. 3 and the top of the brace A19 to the opposite end. In a similar manner, the opposed ends of the segments A8 and A9 are releasably attached to the ends of the first structural member 30.

' By adjusting the connectors and tubes, compression and tension loads in the members of the structure may be regulated.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction of the connectors, it shall be understood that these changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a structure having a plurality of braces converging at one point; a multiple point connector for the converging ends of the braces, the connector comprising a hollow tubular through member, spaced ridges on the outer surface of the opposite ends of said through member, means for releasably securing corresponding ends of the braces to said ridges on the opposite ends of the through member, a collar disposed on the through member intermediate the ends thereof, the collar comprising spaced parallel side members in planes perpendicular to the center line of the through member, the side members having aligned apertures formed therein, at least two anchors, each anchor comprising a substantially cylindrical base member an integrally formed elongated intermediate member and an integrally formed tubular top member, means for pivotally securing the base member of one anchor in the aligned openings of and between the side members of the collar, spaced ridges on the outer surface of said top member, and means for releasably securing the ridges of the top member of the anchor to the converging end of one brace; the connector further comprising a plurality of spaced angular brackets disposed on the tubular member adjacent the outer surface of each side member of the collar, consecutive brackets having aligned openings formed therethrough, means through the aligned openings for pivotally securing the base member of the other anchor between consecutive brackets, and means for releasably securing the converging end of one of the braces to the top member of the other anchor.

ELZO BRUNO CAPRA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,070,165 Newlin Aug. 12, 1913 1,169,398 Hawcock Jan. 25, 1916 1,516,281 Eisner Nov. 18, 1924 1,531,962 Lloyd Mar. 31, 1925 1,579,159 Spikings Mar. 30, 1926 1,678,879 Selah July 31, 1928 1,817,775 Sipe Aug. 4, 1931 2,001,215 Ruppel May 14, 1935 2,233,901 Schacchetti Mar. 4, 1941 2,318,474 Eiane May 4, 1943 

